Neal:
Your project is an inspiration to me and other hobbyists who have filled-up the platform space of a layout resting on legs or sawhorses in the train room. Perhaps the easiest way to expand is to "build upward" with a ceiling-hugging, shelf-mounted route.
I initially planned a shelf-mounted "pretzel" route with computer-based track software for my L-shaped train room (16x19 feet), but I soon met real-world obstacles: a downward projecting, load-bearing support beam at the angle of the "L" that shouldn't be notch-cut (for fear of bringing down the ceiling), and walls of different materials -- two brick walls and two stud walls covered with paneling. Further, installing a ceiling-mounting train shelf around the perimeter of the train room would be blocked by the layout already in place in that room. A classic case of "building a boat in the basement before realizing there's no doorway to get it out of there."
I liked the idea mentioned in this posting about installing "plain Jane"metal L-brackets to the wall - showing its vertical leg on the wall above the shelf with its horizontal leg on the wall underneath the shelf; along with crown moulding underneath the shelf for a "finished" look. The moulding would have some additional (but not a lot of) shelf support - mostly a touch of elegance.
Keep posting info gathered along your "learning curve" for the benefit of others!
Mike Mottler (ritrainguy)
mottlerm@gmail.com
